+443308187254Perspective Article - Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Toxicology ( 2024) Volume 13, Issue 1
Received: 11-Jan-2024, Manuscript No. JREST-24-124934; Editor assigned: 16-Jan-2024, Pre QC No. JREST-24-124934 (PQ); Reviewed: 30-Jan-2024, QC No. JREST-24-124934; Revised: 07-Feb-2024, Manuscript No. JREST-24-124934 (R); Published: 15-Feb-2024, DOI: 10.14303/2315-5698.2024.65
One of the key factors influencing agricultural productivity is the climate. Concerns over how climate change and its unpredictability may affect agricultural productivity are widespread. Changes in temperature, precipitation, soil fertility, length of growing season and increased likelihood of extreme events like droughts, extreme heatwaves, heavy rainfall, cyclones, coastal flooding and erosion and so on could all have an impact on agriculture and by extension, people's livelihoods. Vulnerability in the context of climate change is defined as "the degree to which a system is susceptible to and unable to cope with the adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and extremes," by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). A system's vulnerability depends on its sensitivity, ability to adapt and the type, amount and rate of climatic change and variation to which it are exposed. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states in its sixth assessment report that "heat waves and humid heat stress will be more intense and frequent during the 21st century." In terms of the monsoon, there will be greater inter annual variability and an increase in precipitation throughout the summer and annual monsoons over the twenty first century.
Food quality, accessibility and availability can all be impacted by climate change. Reduced agricultural output, for instance, might be the result of predicted temperature rises, altered precipitation patterns, altered extreme weather events and decreased water availability. Climate and weather have a significant impact on agriculture. It also depends a lot on water, land and other naturally occurring resources that are impacted by climate. Climate change will make agricultural activities more challenging in some areas while also having the potential to expand the growing season or allow for the cultivation of other crops in some (such as temperature, precipitation and timing of frosts).
The rate and intensity of the change, as well as the extent to which farmers and ranchers can adapt, will determine how climate change affects agriculture. Crop rotation and integrated pest control are two of the several climate change adaptation strategies already used in agriculture. To assist us ready for a changing environment, a lot of research is also being conducted. The three distinct agro climatic zones of Chhattisgarh are the Northern hills, the Bastar plateau and the plains. Together, they account for 50.52%, 28.62% and 20.86% of the state's total area. In a similar vein, the state's topography varies greatly from high, elevated sections, which also causes differences in the state's climate. The yearly rainfall, which ranges from 1200 to 1600 mm on average, is also quite variable. In various regions of Chhattisgarh, there are between 64 to 91 rainy days every year. (About 85% of rainfall in C.G. is concentrated in four monsoon months i.e., June-September). The Bastar plateau, the northern hills and the plains of Chhattisgarh receive an annual rainfall of 1200 mm-1400 mm, 1400 mm-1600 mm and 1000 mm-1200mm, respectively.
Chhattisgarh acknowledges the impact of climate change as well. The information that is now available indicates that there is a substantial likelihood that climate change will increase the frequency and intensity of climate related natural hazards, which would raise potential dangers from these natural disasters. It will be challenging to manage in the lack of state level climate models and vulnerability assessments because of the low level of community knowledge and awareness and the possibility that Chhattisgarh is particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change.
Different regions may experience better or worse growing conditions for crops as a result of climate change. For instance, lengthier growing seasons are a result of variations in temperature, precipitation and frost-free days in practically every state. For food production, a prolonged growing season can offer both advantages and disadvantages.
While some farmers could be able to plant more crop cycles or longer-maturing crops, others might need to provide more irrigation during a longer, hotter growing season. Additionally, plants, trees and crops can be harmed by air pollution.
For instance, plants that get high levels of ground-level ozone absorb less photosynthesis, develop more slowly and become more susceptible to disease. Wildfire danger may also rise as a result of climate change. Rangelands, meadows and farmlands are all highly vulnerable to wildfires. Changes in temperature and precipitation will also probably increase the range and frequency of insects, weeds and illnesses. This can result in a higher need for pest and weed management.
For over 100 crops grown in the US, pollination is essential. When pollinators, including bees and butterflies, emerge and when plants bloom can be influenced by temperature changes and variations in precipitation. Pollination may decline if there are discrepancies between the time pollinators emerge and when plants blossom. It is anticipated that climate change would lead to an increase in the frequency of heavy rains in the United States. This might be detrimental to crops as it can erode soil and deplete nutrients. Additionally, agricultural runoff into lakes, streams and oceans can be increased by heavy rainfall. Water quality may be harmed by this runoff.
Runoff can cause aquatic bodies to lose oxygen when combined with the rising water temperatures brought on by climate change. We call this hypoxia. Fish and shellfish can die from hypoxia. Additionally, it may make it more difficult for them to locate food and habitat, which could have a negative impact on the coastal businesses and cultures that depend on such ecosystems. Coastal farming communities face dangers from storms and sea level rise. Agricultural land loss, incursion of saltwater that can contaminate water supplies and erosion are some of these hazards.
These risks are predicted to get worse due to climate change. Many health risks associated to climate change affect agricultural laborers. These include being exposed to heat and other harsh weather conditions, being around more pests and hence exposed to more pesticides, being around disease carrying pests like ticks and mosquitoes and having poorer air quality. These hazards may be increased by variables such as language problems, limited access to healthcare and others. The productivity and well-being of animals produced for meat, milk and eggs can also be impacted by heat and humidity.
To deal with the delayed rainfall, extended dry periods and early plant maturity, agronomic procedures for various crops can be improved. Examples of these activities include timely planting, maintaining plant densities and following suggested cropping patterns and sequences. New approaches centered around 'green' agricultural technologies, such as rainwater harvesting, adaptive plant breeding, insect forecasting, ground water recharge and fertilizer micro dosing, are needed to increase the agriculture sector's resilience.